I was very nervous before Sunday's game. Not that I didn't think they were going to win, but because the Jets were sure that they were. Every match-up seemed to benefit the Colts. They had the home field, the better quarterback, and they had been prepping for the Jets since they lost to them December 27 in the infamous "pull your starters" game.
But the Jets had fate. Every time the Jets and Colts had previously met in a big game when the Colts were big favorites, the Jets would pull the upset (See Super Bowl III). They had confidence. Rex Ryan was already planning the Super Bowl parade route. They were cocky and they were on a roll, winning four games in a row and seven of eight. They had the league's number one defense and running game.
Reasoning was for the Colts, but karma was certainly for the Jets. Which would win out?
Thankfully, reason would.
The first half was pretty nerve wracking. Indy was unable to capitalize on good drives, settling for a pair of short range Matt Stover field goals, while the Jets had a big play touchdown from Mark Sanchez to Braylon Edwards.
A Joseph Addai fumble put the Jets in prime position to take a commanding 21-6 lead, but were held to a field goal.
The turning point in the game came on the Colts' last drive of the first half when Peyton Manning connected with Austin Collie four plays in a row, including a 15-yard touchdown throw. Manning was quickly figuring out the Jets defense.
The Jets missed a field goal in their first second half possession and the Colts responded with a Manning TD pass to Pierre Garcon, who broke an AFC championship game record with 11 catches.
From then on out, the Colts defense held on. Another Manning TD pass to Dallas Clark with just over eight minutes to go pretty much clinched it for the Colts. Sanchez was having a good game, but there was no way he was going to conduct a 10-point comeback in eight minutes. Not against the Colts defense. Not this year.
This win was as sweet as they come. Although I didn't have the overjoyed feeling that I had when they beat the Patriots in the AFC title game three years ago, this was as sweet in a number of ways.
ESPN praised the Jets all week. NFL "experts" were saying that they matched up well with the Colts and that Indy blew it by not eliminating the Jets when they had a chance. "Experts" picking against the Colts is nothing new. I actually hope they continue the Colts-hate because it has worked for us so far.
When the Colts were ahead 20-17, Reggie Wayne caught a pass from Manning and was headed up the field before fumbling the ball and then quickly recovering. Immediately, I thought of the AFC Championship Game three years ago, when Wayne had a similar play with just two minutes to go in a game where the Colts trailed. Parallel? Yes. Maybe fate was on the Colts side.
The Colts are a well-oiled machine. The model of consistency in the NFL. What a decade it has been. 115 wins, Manning's four MVPs, playoffs in nine of ten seasons and two Super Bowl trips.
What they are missing is that second Super Bowl ring. That's all that's on their minds right now. The Saints are the best team the Colts will face all year. It will be a challenge. But it's a challenge the Colts are certainly up for.
If the game is close, there is no QB I'd rather have than #18. There is no defense I'd rather have than the Colts' fast and furious. And there is NO coach I'd rather have than Jim Caldwell. The question before the season was if Caldwell could fill Tony Dungy's shoes. With one more win, he outgrows them.
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